Root River Report

The following information is the latest fishing information for the Root River in Racine. We will post new information to this site every TUESDAY at 4:00 pm from September through December and from March through May. We will also update the number of fish processed at the Root River Steelhead Facility to give you the exact number of fish passed upstream. Depending on water conditions and number of fish in the weir, fish are usually processed on Mondays and Thursdays.

In addition, you can call our Lake Michigan Fishing Hotline at (414) 382-7920 to hear the latest fishing information for Lake Michigan and its tributaries or check out our Lake Michigan Outdoor Report

Root River Steelhead Facility

Lake Michigan trout and salmon don't successfully reproduce in Wisconsin streams, so DNR gives Mother Nature a hand. Watch fisheries crews collect eggs and milt from spawning fish to create the next generation of steelhead to challenge anglers on the big pond.

• Steelhead Spawning at Root River Steelhead Facility [VIDEO Length 3:16]

Root River Fishing Report for May 13, 2013

Strong winds, rain, and cold temperatures moved into the area on Thursday. The water temperature dropped from 59F on Wednesday down to 51F on Sunday.

For up to date river conditions, check out the USGS web site of stream flow conditions [exit DNR]  in Wisconsin.

Fishing Information

• Above the weir: At the Horlick Dam, anglers tried casting spinner baits and artificial night crawlers for rock bass with no reports of fish taken. One angler tried casting bright, yellow colored flies for steelhead with little success. Anglers reported that a few brown trout and steelhead were landed near the dam earlier in the week.  At Quarry Park, anglers who fished the river for steelhead a few weeks ago are now fishing on the piers and from small rubber rafts at Quarry Lake. An angler landed a ten pound, male steelhead at Colonial Park on Sunday while casting a small, red and white colored crank bait. It was the most colorful steelhead that I’ve seen come out of the Root River this year. Another angler caught and released two small steelhead and lost a large one while casting a muddler minnow.

• Below the weir: A few anglers at Island Park tried bottom fishing with night crawlers for bass and northern pike with no reports of fish taken.  

Root River Steelhead Facility Report